Automatic valve for steam-radiators



J. P. WOOD.

Automatic Valve for Stem Radiators.

Patented April 11. 1865;

Witnssesfl Inventor."

N. PETERS. HmLilhagmpMn Wmhingtm. EC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES P. WOOD, OF PHILADELPHIA; PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC VALVE FOR STEAM-RADIATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 47,240, dated April 11, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES 1?. W001), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Automatic Valve for Steam and Hot-Air Radiators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyiig drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists of a certain automatic valve apparatus, fully described hereinafter, to be attached to a steam or hot-air register, the said apparatus so operating as to discharge the vapor from the radiator as soon as it cools.

In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

()n reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a vertical section of my improved automatic valve for steam and hot-air radiators; Fig. 2, a section on the line 1 2, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, a plan view.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A is a metal cup or vessel, in the neck a of which are threads adapted to those on a hollow projection attached to the radiator. On the inner edge of the mouth of the vessel A is a flange, b, to Which is secured the upper edge of a cup, B, and into the tubular projection c ot' the latter screws a plug, 0?. The mouth of the cup B is covered with a diaphragm, 0, of thin metal, in the center of which is a valve, 1), the stem e of the latter projecting upward into a tube, F, the latter communicating with, and in the present instance forminga part of, the arched tube E, which communicates at each end with the interior of the vessel A. The lower end of the tube F is ground to fit and form the seat for the valve D. The diaphragm O is depressed to the position shown in Fig. 1, and the cup B is filled through the neck 0 with water, mercury, or other suitable fluid, after which the plug d is screwed into the tubular projection 0 so as to completely close the cup, when the apparatus is ready to be attached to the radiator.

Radiators have been heretofore provided with cocks and similar devices, which are turned so that the cold air within the radiator may escape and give place to the hot air or steam. These devices have proved objectionable, as they are frequently overlooked by the attendants, and the cold air iseither retained within the casing or the steam, after filling the latter, is permitted to escape.

In ordinary casings or radiators also the vapor quickly cools, so that they soon cease to impart the heat desired.

When steam or hot air is admitted into a radiator to which the above-described apparatus is applied, the cold air is driven into the yes sel A, into the pipes E and F, and out of the latter at its lower end. has escaped and the heated air or steam begins to find its way into the vessel A, the cup B is heated, and the contents of the latter are thus so expanded that the diaphragm O is raised to the position shown in Fig. 2, the valve D being thereby forced tightly against the lower end of the tube F, closing the latter and preventing the further escape of the vapor.

So longv as the vapor within the casing or radiator remains hot, the valve D continues to bear against and close the tube F. When the vapor cools, however, the fluid in the cup B contracts, the valveis withdrawn from contact with the end of the tube F, and the cooled vapor is allowed to escape to give place to heated vapor, as before.

It will be seen that by means of this apparatus the vapor is discharged from the casin g or radiator as soon as itcools, and that this is accomplished without the necessity of any care or attention on the part of an attendant.

Without confining myself to the precise arrangement and form of the parts herein described, I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The cup 13, diaphragm O, and valve D, in combination with the vessel A and its tubes E and F, or their equivalent-s, the whole being arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have, signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

1 JAMES P. WOOD.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. Fos'rnn, JOHN WHITE.

When all the cold air I 

